Inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access and method thereof

Abstract

A device to aid in establishing intravenous access by means of a sequential trapping and displacing of the venous blood in a top to bottom action down an extremity, resulting in a localized increase in the diameter of the veins, due to increased, trapped blood volume. The resulting distention of the vessels produces a stabilizing effect, thereby decreasing vascular mobility and rolling. The combination of vessel distention and stabilization greatly facilitates the obtaining of a patent I.V. The sequential trapping and milking of venous blood toward the extremity is accomplished via a specialized inflatable bladder.

1 . An inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access comprising: 
 An elastomeric bladder comprising an opening within said elastomeric bladder for inflation and deflation of said elastomeric bladder and wherein said elastomeric bladder contains a plurality of air flow chambers;    A plurality of air flow restriction devices between said air flow chambers;    A means of inflating said elastomeric bladder; and    A means for securing said elastomeric bladder to a patient's limb.    
   
   
       2 . The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are positioned sequentially within said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       3 . The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are separate and individual and positioned parallel within said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       4 . The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of  claim 1  wherein said inflatable tourniquet further comprises a plurality of exhaust valves between said air flow chambers.  
   
   
       5 . The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of  claim 1  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       6 . The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of  claim 2  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       7 . The inflatable tourniquet to aid in establishing intravenous access of  claim 3  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       8 . A method of establishing IV access in a patient comprised of the trapping and displacement of venous blood in a limb wherein said trapping a displacement of venous blood is further comprised of: 
 Attaching an inflatable tourniquet;    Inflating said inflatable tourniquet sequentially; and    Inserting an IV.    
   
   
       9 . The method of establishing IV access in a patient of  claim 8  further comprising the removal of said inflatable tourniquet after said inserting of an IV.  
   
   
       10 . The method of establishing IV access in a patient of  claim 8  wherein said inflatable tourniquet further comprises: 
 An elastomeric bladder comprising an opening within said elastomeric bladder for inflation and deflation of said elastomeric bladder and wherein said elastomeric bladder contains a plurality of air flaw chambers;    A plurality of air flow restriction devices between said air flow chambers;    A means of inflating said elastomeric bladder; and    A means for securing said elastomeric bladder to a patient's limb.    
   
   
       11 . The method of establishing IV access in a patient of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are positioned sequentially within said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       12 . The method of establishing IV access in a patient of  claim 8  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       13 . An elastomeric bladder comprising: 
 An opening for inflation and deflation of said elastomeric bladder;    A plurality of air flow chambers;    A plurality of air flow restriction devices between said air flow chambers;    A means for securing said elastomeric bladder to a patient's limb; and    A means for inflating said elastomeric bladder.    
   
   
       14 . The elastomeric bladder of  claim 13  wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are positioned sequentially within said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       15 . The elastomeric bladder of  claim 13  wherein said plurality of air flow chambers are separate and individual and positioned parallel within said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       16 . The elastomeric bladder of  claim 13  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a plurality of exhaust valves between said air flow chambers.  
   
   
       17 . The elastomeric bladder of  claim 13  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       18 . The elastomeric bladder of  claim 14  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.  
   
   
       19 . The elastomeric bladder of  claim 15  wherein said elastomeric bladder further comprises a protective cover positioned around said elastomeric bladder.